Sexuality and Science Media Project
I teach a course entitled 'Sexuality and Science', that is jointly listed with
Women's Studies and Psychology. One of the course assignments is to craft a media article
about a sexual science phenomenon, written with a feminist perspective. Click
Sexual Science in the Media to see the website and articles! For more information about the course, see below.
Sexuality and Science, Psychology 430, WS 452 (UG)
- Winter 2012.
- Class Description:This interdisciplinary course focuses on sexuality and science from two perspectives.
We will discuss current biological and neuroscientific research about sexuality, as well as feminist scholarship on these topics and
critical responses to this research. Topics will cover the intersections between biology (e.g., hormones, genetics, neural activity,
psychophysiology, evolution, etc.), sexuality (e.g., desire, dysfunction, arousal, bisexuality, orgasm, same-sex sexuality, pleasure,
etc.), and feminist/critical scholarship about this research (e.g., feminist science studies, queer theory, feminist psychology,
medicalization, etc.).
- Fall 2012: Science, Gender/Sex, and Sexuality, first-year (Freshman) seminar course (UG).
- Class Description: To come.
- Winter 2013: Sexuality and Science (UG).
- Class Description: This interdisciplinary course focuses on sexuality and
science from two perspectives. We will discuss current biological and neuroscientific
research about sexuality, as well as feminist scholarship on these topics and critical
responses to this research. Topics will cover the intersections between biology
(e.g. hormones, genetics, neural activity, psychophysiology, evolution, etc.), sexuality
(e.g. desire, dysfunction, arousal, bisexuality, orgasm, same-sex sexuality, pleasure,
etc.), and feminist/critical scholarship about this research (e.g. feminist science
studies, queer theory, feminist psychology, medicalization, etc.). Students are expected
to have a background knowledge in WS, sexuality, or biopsychology/neuroscience,
but do not need proficiency in more than one of these fields.
- Winter 2013: Science, Medicine, and Sexed Bodies (G).
- Class Description: To come.
Possible Future Courses
- Feminist Science Studies
- Hormones & Behavior
Biopsychological Approaches to Gender/Sex, Psychology 400, Women's Studies 432 (UG).
- Winter, 2009, Fall 2010
- Class Description: Sex and gender are largely dichotomized into a nature/nurture opposition,
with sex representing biology and gender representing culture. Are the two really so separable? And, if
they are one of the primary ways we categorize ourselves, what do these categories really mean according
to empirical research in psychology and neuroscience? In this course, we will cover biopsychological research
in gender/sex, and we will also discuss critiques of these approaches. Topics include sexual differentiation
and development, behavioral neuroendocrinology, sexuality, clinical conditions and health, evolution,
social behaviors, differences/similarities, neuroanatomy, and behavioral genetics.
Intersexualities, Women's Studies 407 (UG).
- Fall, 2009
- Class Description: Are we born with a sex; are we given one;
can we choose one, or none? Where does sex end and gender begin? How are we sexed,
and who sexes us? The goal in this course is to examine intersexualities in an interdisciplinary
fashion from various standpoints and intersections using a feminist lens. Topics will range from
biological development of sexual organs, disorders of sex development, clinical and biomedical
approaches, historical perspectives, identity and agency, representations in media and art,
activism and advocacy, and objectifications in teaching.
Sexuality and Science, Psychology 400, Women's Studies 432 (UG).
- Winter, 2011
- Class Description: This interdisciplinary course focuses on sexuality and
science from two perspectives. We will discuss current biological and neuroscientific
research about sexuality, as well as feminist scholarship on these topics and critical
responses to this research. Topics will cover the intersections between biology
(e.g. hormones, genetics, neural activity, psychophysiology, evolution, etc.), sexuality
(e.g. desire, dysfunction, arousal, bisexuality, orgasm, same-sex sexuality, pleasure,
etc.), and feminist/critical scholarship about this research (e.g. feminist science
studies, queer theory, feminist psychology, medicalization, etc.). Students are expected
to have a background knowledge in WS, sexuality, or biopsychology/neuroscience,
but do not need proficiency in more than one of these fields.
- To see media articles written as class assignments, click
here!
Social Neuroendocrinology, Psychology 808 (G).
- Winter, 2011
- Class Description: This course will cover comparative research on hormones
and social behavioral contexts from disciplines including biopsychology/neuroscience,
biological anthropology, social-personality psychology, and evolutionary biology.
Species will include humans, non-human primates, rodents (e.g. rats, voles), birds,
and others; humans will likely make up just over half of the course focus, and non-humans
the remaining half. Topics include competition, relationships/pair bonding/partnering,
sexuality, parenting, stress, with a focus on gender/sex throughout. There will also
be room to have 1-2 classes on student interests not covered in the above topics.
Students will also learn methodological considerations about incorporating hormones
into their ongoing research. Students do NOT need a behavioral neuroendocrine or
neuroscience background to take this course. This class will involve one hour of lecture
by a roster of distinguished visiting scholars, and two hours of interactive seminar
discussion. Students will be evaluated on participation, presentations, and a research
paper. For most assignments, students will have the ability to focus on their own interests
related to the course, even if not covered in the major class topics. A class homepage
will become available on CTools at the start of the semester.
Students interested in working on independent research courses
for credit should contact Dr. van Anders first with a query email. After making contact,
click on the 'join the lab' tab above for more info on how to apply.
Generally, I work with students who have taken a class of mine but can make exceptions.
I will be happy to write you reference letters given that you have been in a class with me and your
performance has been good. Consider asking any potential referee (including me) whether the referee can
provide you with a strong reference. Remember: the reference letter will relate to many aspects of your
class involvement, including your class participation, group work, writing abilities, etc.
Please provide at least two weeks' notice, unless an emergency or very special situation arises.
Once I have agreed to write a reference letter for you, have the following prepared:
- information about the reference letter (e.g. form to fill out? Online? Hard copy?);
- the deadline;
- information about the program (e.g. what are you applying to?);
- what you would like me to focus on, if relevant (it might be general, but sometimes
people want a specific focus on participation, writing abilities, etc.)
- your CV/resume;
- your university transcripts (unofficial copies are fine) with relevant
courses and/or courses with me highlighted;
- if you were in a course with me, include an example of your work with instructor comments on it;
- if to be mailed, the address. Please provide addressed and stamped envlopes.
- Please put the above information into a package in my mailbox in EH 4027. If you are not in Ann Arbor, you can mail the materials to me (address at bottom of webpage).
If you need to email me the materials, please put them all into one PDF if possible.